Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Chatting => Equipment Shed => Topic started by: thestens on January 01, 2012, 12:19
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I know this has been on before but didn't seem to get too much of an airing. Is there any advantage glass over PC on a 6 x 8 Aluminium frame green house?
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Horticultural glass is cheaper and heavier (helps with stability), but also much more dangerous when broken unless you go for the considerably more expensive toughened version.
Main disadvantage of Polycarbonate is that it is more flexible than glass and can spring out of the frames in windy conditions, although extra clips and/or bedding in silicone sealant can deal with this quite effectively according to other forum posters.
I believe glass has slightly better light transmission than polycarbonate, but I don't think the difference is significant.
Mine is glazed with horticultural glass, but I'd probably choose polycarbonate if there were going to be young kids about, or a significant risk of "flying bricks" in the area.
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JayG - I am just looking into getting a 6x4 greenhouse for the back of my garden - it will be in a very sheltered spot, so potential panel-popping wind problems ( :blush:) minimised. On that basis, would you go for the polycarbonate, rather than glass? I hate handling the glass when building greenhouses - once was enough! Then I had to dismantle it as the neighbours built an extension! I sold it on *Bay a couple of years ago.
So have now rearranged the garden and can get a new G/H - but which is best? Your advice appreciated.
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I'd get a polycarb but silicone the panels in place, if you're scared of glass.
I have one of each and really don't see any difference between the 2 ;)
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I've been mulling over the merits of horticultural glass versus polycarbonate and decided on getting the latter when I buy my new greenhouse. I've always had a glass one but now it's time to change.
Twin wall polycarbonate is a much improved material in recent years with decent heat retaining properties and diffuses light well. It also will not shatter into dangerous shards when it breaks, if it breaks at all.
I'm probably getting this one 8' x 10'.
http://www.waltons.co.uk/waltons-extra-tall-polycarbonate-greenhouses-bronze
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thanks Ice and Mum - great advice, ta
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I did a lot of research before making a decision, and it seemed to me that like many things it's not a choice between simply good or bad - cost, safety, light transmission, insulating properties, some doubts about how long twin-wall retains its transparency particularly if moisture starts to creep between the layers..........it goes on for as long as you can bear to keep Googling!)
If you're scared of horticultural glass and what it might do to you (understandable!) and can't run to the cost of safety glass then polycarbonate has to be the choice even if it isn't perfect. :)
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You can Google until you are a gibbering wreck afraid to make a move at all. ::) I, like Plum, am afraid of horticultural glass. I have to take medications that thin my blood and am a little freaked out by broken glass and the prospect of dealing with it. :unsure:
I would feel totally safe in a polycarbonate greenhouse. :)
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well, I've done it now - gorn and got meself a polycarbon 6x4. Have cleared and levelled the space ready to receive the new baby! Now, tomorrow, I just have the small matter of construction to contend with :tongue2: . I shall keep reminding myself how I hated doing the glass one before, so I don't get too fed up. And how lovely it will be to finally have a g/h again that isn't shaded by the neighbour's new extension (grrr)
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I shall keep reminding myself how I hated doing the glass one before, so I don't get too fed up. And how lovely it will be to finally have a g/h again that isn't shaded by the neighbour's new extension (grrr)
Know what you mean (horticultural glass is sooooooo not 21st century darling!) :wub:
(I of course managed to erect and glaze my ally/glass greenhouse without any problems at all but then sliced my hand open on the step ladder as I carried it back into the house!) :lol:
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:nowink: :nowink: :nowink: ::)
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well, I've done it now - gorn and got meself a polycarbon 6x4.
I'll see your 6x4 and raise you an 8x10, arriving tomorrow. :tongue2: :) Woohoo indeed. 8)
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yeah, you've won that one Ice. But I don't mind. rather construct my little one than your big'un!! ::) :lol:
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Ice always wanted a big'un ::) :lol:
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It's not here yet. Might have to borrow JayG and his extra long orangutan arms to help build it. :)
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It's not here yet. Might have to borrow JayG and his extra long orangutan arms to help build it. :)
Not long enough, I'm afraid, hence step ladder and cut hand. :( (the ARMS, thank you matron! :tongue2: )
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Shame, now I'll have to give all those bananas to someone else. :tongue2:
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well, have base and part of the structure built - rest to do tomorrow, though rain is forecast. grrr.
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I believe a photo would be in order plum. :)
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I believe a photo would be in order plum. :)
Of course! (Tip: use a low camera angle and it will look bigger than Ice's!) 8) ;)
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:( It still hasn't arrived. :( So much for free next day delivery. :( So much for waiting in all day. :( Going to sulk now. :(
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:( It still hasn't arrived. :( So much for free next day delivery. :( So much for waiting in all day. :( Going to sulk now. :(
Did you forget to specify which day you wanted them to deliver next to? ::)
(I know how you feel - I was so excited I still managed to be nice to the delivery man who was supposed to arrive after 1000 but actually woke me up just after 0700!) :ohmy:
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hmm, will take photo or two tomorrow - good plan JayG re low angle. It might also make Ted the tabby look like a Tiger - let's see what I can do :lol:
how irritating is that Ice? Grrr specially when you are waiting around all day - you can't settle to anything can you?
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Did you forget to specify which day you wanted them to deliver next to? ::)
Sounds like one of my brothers. If he says he'll be there tuesday you have to ask 'which' tuesday. ::) But then he is a builder. :lol:
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I have been looking as well, polycarb looks best. Found Nison greenhouses have a locking system for the panels, no clips. This looks like a good system, has anyone got one?
Modified to remove ad
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Still nothing and no reply to my email. Waiting over an hour for a call back about delivery today. Getting a sinking feeling about it all. :(
After googling the company I am now very worried after reading some of the awful stories out there regarding delivery, damaged goods and customer service issues. Might have to name and shame the company if they don't deliver the goods. They've already broken the contract by failing to deliver last friday. >:(
This greenhouse was meant to cheer me up. ::)
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oh Ice! I do hope your pessimism is unfounded. Oh d*mn!
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Well there's bad news and good news. The greenhouse I ordered has been discontinued and is out of stock. ::) I have accepted an upgrade at no extra cost which is in stock and will be here tomorrow or the day after. It's the one I wanted in the first place but couldn't justify the extra money. :)
Eyes and fingers crossed.
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now, that could be a right little result. could be........ fingers crossed
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(http://bestsmileys.com/fingers/1.gif)
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Might need a wide angle lens to get it all in Plum. :tongue2: :lol:
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Well this company certainly don't believe in keeping their promises to phone you back or send an email. However, I have been assured that my replacement is now with Nightfreight's overnight service and will be here tomorrow. I won't hold my breath. If it's not here by 6pm I will name and shame. ;)
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Thats awful service so far Ice >:(
Have they given you any tracking details so you can see proof of its progress?
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No tracking details. If its not here by tomorrow evening I will cancel. Uner the distance selling rules I have seven days to "cool off" and get my money back. ::)
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Fingers, toes and eyes crossed!
When I ordered mine I got an email with details for the greenhouse tracking and one for the potting bench I ordered as well which updated every hour so I could track it across the country ... the morning it was delivered I got an email to tell me it would be delivered by Rob between 12:18 and 13:18. I wish every company did it that way :(
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IT'S HERE
It's bigger than my spare bedroom.
It's in a thousand pieces, but it's mine, all mine. :D
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wooohooooo
now the small matter of construction.....
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Should be done by that winter festival we do not mention. ::)
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Yay! ...Happy New Greenhouse :D
I did a Happy Dance in the kitchen when I saw the van pull up outside with mine in it ::)
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"Absence makes the heart grow fonder" (except when it comes to late delivery of greenhouses!)
Yes, lots of bits, but great fun as it starts to take shape. :unsure:
Just one tip - if yours has only one opening light and you want it situated on a particular side of the greenhouse, if the design is anything like mine make sure you get the roof apex section the right way round to allow fitting it on that side (it never crossed my mind, and the instructions didn't mention it, so I had a 50/50 chance of being lucky, but..............) :nowink:
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.... and make sure you have a suitable beverage for your 'topping off' ceremony :tongue2:
I had to have a sit down on the garage doorstep and a cup of coffee because the day we built it was sooo cold my hands went numb ::)
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the worst part was praying for the wind to drop whilst I was glazing mine :ohmy:
and as for trying to fit the auto opener when every now and again the sun came out :nowink:
Have fun :)
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I did a Happy Dance in the kitchen when I saw the van pull up outside with mine in it ::)
Was it anything like this? :lol:
BxpauUgVFvQ
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and as for trying to fit the auto opener when every now and again the sun came out :nowink:
:lol: :lol: :lol:
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It was just like that dance Ice .... but with purple hair ;)
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and as for trying to fit the auto opener when every now and again the sun came out :nowink:
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Titter ye not! The instructions for mine said that before fitting you had to put it in the fridge, then squeeze it closed (like a pair of chest-expanders, but in reverse!) and then fit it to the opening window, but because you'd just squeezed it completely flat you could only fit it properly when the temperature was somewhere near what you wanted it to open at so you still had some scope to adjust the opening temperature (cue Mum's problem! :nowink: :lol:)
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Oh my goodness, what a kerfuffle. :lol: Thank goodness mine has at least two opening lights with no automation.
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The epilogue.
One day after geting my greenhouse I have received a rebate of £365 from Npower for overpayment of my bills. (http://bestsmileys.com/thumbs/2.gif)
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RESULT :lol:
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That's lovely for you Ice,& congrats to you & Plum on your new greenhouses,long may you grow in there :happy:
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:( having a real problem with it - but will calm down and try again tomorrow, in the cool morning light. Hopefully the tension knot in my shoulders and neck will have softened by then.....
I really could do with OH helping, but he is too impatient to be of any use......
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Are your instructions as incomprehensible as mine Plum? Was going to make a start on it today but took one look at the instruction booklet and decided not to bother. :wacko:
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For me, the most important thing at the start - was to find the numbers on the pieces, or at least id them from the instructions and then stick big labels on them!
Then when the directions said fix bit a12 onto bit b34 I could at least easily see which bits I wanted.
I found it also gave me an idea of where the bits went in the frame :)
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Know what you mean mum. Might wait until we have a few good days in a row and then do the whole thing very methodically. It was just the sight of all those parts and instructions that have clearly been translated into English via google translate. :lol:
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oh yes, I found all the parts and laid them out numerically, which pleased my methodical mind. the bit that is a problem is not being able to do the nuts up fully yet, so the whole thing is wobbly, and without someone to hold it, a piece can fall off again when you are putting another piece on. :(
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The instructions for mine (Halls) looked a bit scary at first glance (they usually do!) but all the parts were properly numbered which certainly helped.
Loosely bolted all 4 sides as far as possible lying flat on the lawn (not me, stupid!) then managed to connect it all together using the hedge as a useful prop. Only assistance required was carrying the whole wobbly thing into position. :)
Most tricky part was getting it completely square - don't rely on doing it by eye or set square - I used a non-stretchy length of cord to measure the diagonals of the base - it's quite amazing how much it can be out of true despite looking absolutely perfect! :wacko:
Be prepared to find you have at least one piece left over - I had quite an interestingly-shaped piece of aluminium left over and over a year later still have no idea what it's for! :unsure:
No self-respecting self-assembly kit comes without at least one surprise - in my case it was impossible to glaze the door without taking it partly to pieces again ( :mad:) and also the slide-in draught excluder strips couldn't be inserted without taking the door and the runner assembly off again!
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I found that if I used all the door draught-excluder strips as instructed the door just wouldn't shut properly :lol: so guess what I did - Ho Hum!
:)
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHH
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAArRRRRRRRRRRRRRRghhhhhhhhhh
kill kill kill
having to stop for lunch before I KILL SOMEONE
grrrr
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:ohmy:
(http://bestsmileys.com/eek/3.gif)
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and breeeeeathe. Sorry gang! (sorry mum!!)
OH disappeared and came back with chips, pie and curry sauce.
Have scoffed the lot, and, cuppa in hand, will now stroll calmly back down the garden and continue........phew
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Oh heck........ :unsure: Should I get some valium, just in case, or will pie and chips do instead plum? :blink:
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I found that if I used all the door draught-excluder strips as instructed the door just wouldn't shut properly :lol: so guess what I did - Ho Hum!
:)
The instructions for mine didn't even mention the existence of the draught-excluder strips, just included them in with the other bits and pieces and left me to work out what they were for, and how to fit them (hence the problem!!) :ohmy: :lol:
Hope Plum is having a better afternoon and hasn't stripped her nuts (or anyone elses!) ;)
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boo hooo hoooooo waaaaaah!
what a palaver! My thumbs hurt so much from pushing (more accurately attempting to push) the strips in around the polycarbon. oww woow oww.
OH in a terrible temper too, just what I need
so, have come in for a cuppa and little nap now. Too tired to continue, and that's when the big mistakes happen. looking good tho - just skylight and door to do, and I can construct them this evening in the garage, ready to go on tomorrow.
ICE - get a steady supply of chips n things, and a calm-tempered OH. Could really do with a tea-elf too.
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All good stuff. I have been looking into this too recently and found this article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningequipment/6537880/Greenhouses-why-polycarbonate-beats-glass.html
Thanks
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Well I'm very happy with mine. Did this all by myself. :) Ignore the date, can't be bothered to work out how to change it.
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u190/Dee56_photos/greenhouse011.jpg)
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wowwww!!! what a bweauty! well done Ice :D
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That looks great, is it full yet. :lol:
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That looks great, is it full yet. :lol:
No, I don't want to get it dirty. :lol: